There were impressive performances on both sides of the ball during WSU's weekly underclassmen scrimmage.

Peyton Bender showed some initial promise before the offense bogged down, and Gabe Marks and Keith Harrington were steady as always. But it was individual standouts on the defensive side of the ball that stole the show on Saturday, particularly a pair of emerging linebackers and a defensive lineman that has dominated all year long.

More on Thursday's practice and scrimmage after the jump.

…

Drew Griffin and Kyle Newsom have been making big plays in pass coverage in recent weeks but today their biggest impact came rushing the passer as each registered a sack. Griffin also broke up a pass.

Griffin, a freshman, was recruited to WSU as a defensive back but was switched to Sam, the linebacker position that is most often asked to drop into pass coverage.

"I think he's got a chance to compete at that position," said linebackers coach Ken Wilson. "He's got a lot of ability, he's a big kid and as he learns the linebacker stuff, gets a little tougher, he'll have a chance to compete there."

A player that seems to dominate every week is Hercules Mata'afa. He registered another sack on Thursday and it was apparent that the offensive linemen and quarterbacks were always keenly aware of where the Hawaiian freshman was.

Offensive line coach Clay McGuire had high praise for the player that regularly makes life difficult for his charges, saying Mata'afa is arguably his favorite player on the team because of his worth ethic and the manner in which he carries himself on the field.

"Every single day he comes out, he'll get a sack and there's not any jumping around or pointing at his chest, hoopla about the things he did," McGuire said. "He just gets a sack, goes back and gets ready to do it again or whatever. He's got some tremendous body strength. I don't know how much he goes in the weight room and lifts but his total body strength is phenomenal, he plays 100 miles per hour every single snap and it's really made our tackles better going against him in Thursday Night Football or scout team."

The offense's first drive began well, with a nine-yard rush by Harrington and four consecutive completed passes by Bender taking the offense to about midfield. But on fourth down freshman cornerback Jeff Farrar nearly intercepted a short pass that would have landed in front of the first down marker. The offense started over with a new set of downs but went four-and-out, with Farrar again breaking up Bender's fourth down pass.

Sebastian LaRue also looked good in coverage.

Bender did eventually get the offense in the end zone on a 23-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Marks.

 Connor Ennis had a good scrimmage after throwing a few interceptions in the scout team portion of the regular practice. He completed five short passes, bringing up the secondary before firing a 45-yard pass to Daniel Lilienthal for a touchdown.

During the regular practice Darryl Monroe and Peyton Pelluer continued to split time at starting Mike linebacker, although Wilson said that Pelluer will make the start on Saturday. Frankie Luvu also saw some time running with the ones at Buck linebacker.

After a long period of being limited to start the season, mammoth offensive lineman Cody O'Connell seems to be rounding into form. He's had a very good week of practice and has been stonewalling defenders in the one-on-one drill.

"Since he's been back he's gotten better every week and the more snaps he gets the better he gets, the better shape he is, all those things factor in and he's really doing some good stuff," McGuire said. "Hopefully we can get him in some games and get him some reps and experience."

Gerard Wicks returned to practice, although he was in street clothes as was Cole Madison. Also limited were Isaac Dotson, Mack Hopkins, Nate Derider and Nick Begg. Calvin Green was in a yellow "limited" jersey but participated in practice.

I did not see Tracy Clark at practice.

---

---